What is a CHD?

A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart.

It is present at birth.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of major birth defect.

A baby's heart begins to develop shortly after conception. During development, structural defects can occur. These defects can involve the walls of the heart, the valves of the heart and the arteries and veins near the heart. Congenital heart defects can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart. The blood flow can:


*
Slow down

* Go in the wrong direction or to the wrong place
* Be blocked completely


Treatments for defects can include medicines, surgery and other medical procedures and heart transplants. The treatment depends on the severity and type of defect, a child's age, and size and general health.



Today, many children born with complex heart defects grow to adulthood and lead productive lives.



Here is a short list of heart medications a brief summery of what they are and why your heart child may need them:


Captopril - Helps with hypertention and congestive heart failure, this medication also helps with heart rhythm


Furosemide - Diuretic to reduce blood volume



Hydralazine - This medication is used for high blood pressure called Hypertension


Asprin - has an anti-clotting effect and is a blood thinner to prevent clots in narrowed arteries


Spironolactone - is known as a potassium-sparing diuretic because, unlike some other diuretics, it does not cause your body to lose potassium


Heparin - has an anti-clotting effect. Sometimes, you can get a Asprin/Heparin mix after heart surgery to again act as a blood thinner


Plavix- is used to stop platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots and helps blood flow more easily


These medications are just some of the over 54 meds that are used to treat congenital heart patients. These are the most commonly used medications.